Messages from the President and CEO

Issue Statements

Americans for the Arts is working on a series of policy response statements with critical information you can use on specific issues. The list below will continue to grow, please check back. Visit the Arts Policy Center for additional information on other policies Americans for the Arts tracks.

Statement on the Arts and the Recovery of Communities After Disasters

Americans for the Arts releases a statement calling on local, state, and federal decisionmakers and government agencies making decisions about disaster relief and recovery to recognize the crucial role of creative workers and organizations, and to ensure cultural and civic community assets are supported and included as recovery and healing begins.

Statement on the Intersection of the Arts, History, and Community Dialogue

Americans for the Arts releases a statement standing against racism, bigotry, and hatred and about the complex and important impact of public art, including monuments to the Confederacy, on the history and pride of diverse communities, and encourages ongoing civic dialogue around the removal and replacement of these monuments.

Statement on Tax Reform and the Charitable Deduction

Americans for the Arts releases a statement about the importance of preserving tax deduction incentives for charitable giving to all nonprofit charities in the United States.

Statement on Arts and The Affordable Care Act

Americans for the Arts releases a statement about the importance of artists and creative workers being able to acquire and maintain affordable healthcare insurance at a time when Congress is working to “repeal and replace” portions of ACA.

Statement on Arts, Jobs, and the Economy

Americans for the Arts releases a statement on the important economic impact of the arts in both supporting American jobs and strengthening our economy.

Statement on Immigration and Refugee Ban

Americans for the Arts releases a statement in response to the executive order signed by President Trump that denies entrance into the U.S. by immigrant and non-immigrant visitors from seven Muslim-majority nations.

Statement on Arts Education in Public Schools Upon The Appointment of Betsy DeVos

Americans for the Arts stands in steadfast support of public schools in America and federal, state, and local policies that enable the pursuit of equity in access to arts education for American's students.

Facts Related to Issues

Below are a collection of fact sheets with data related to statements issued by Americans for the Arts. You can find other Arts Facts resource in our National Arts Administration and Policy Publications Database. Search for titles beginning with "Arts Facts."

Ten Reasons to Support the Arts: fact sheet and infographic

Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts Industry

Facts About Federal Funding and the National Endowment for the Arts

• Arts Facts: National Endowment for the Arts Overview
• Arts Facts: Government Funding to Arts Agencies
• Arts Facts: National Endowment for the Arts Appropriations History 1966-2017
• Arts Facts: NEA Funding Fails to Keep Pace

Facts About Arts Education

• Advantages of Arts Learning Continue Over Time
• Arts Education: Preparing Students for the Workplace
• Improved Academic Performance for Students with High Levels of Arts Involvement
• Inequality in Access to Arts Education
• Uneven Arts Education Opportunities Nationwide

Facts About Arts & Healthcare

• Arts Facts: Arts and Healthcare

Take Action

• Make your voice heard. We are staying in contact with Congress and you should too. Join the Arts Action Fund to take political action. It’s FREE! We will send you alerts so you can respond to decision-makers fast. Please be sure to reach out to your friends and colleagues and ask them to join the Arts Action Fund for free today. We know that high volume responses matter. The more of us that respond when called to action the better.
   
• Send a message to your Congressional delegation in support of the continued funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Action Center has a draft e-mail you can customize to send to your members of Congress--just enter your zip code to connect with your Representative and Senators.
   
• Share the #SAVEtheNEA graphics through your social network channels.
   
• Tell your local news that you support the arts. Use the Action Center's customizable "Letter to the Editor" to send to your message to your local media. Here is an example of an Op-Ed to a local media outlet.
  • National Endowment for the Arts is Vital to our Community, The Press-Enterprise, May 10, 2017
  • Our View: Keep Funding Arts Across the USA, The Santa Fe New Mexico, February 23, 2017
  • Americans Speak Out About the Arts, Black Hills Pioneer, February 20, 2017
     
• Local and state arts agency leaders, create your own Statement on the Proposed Elimination of the NEA in the Federal Budget using this template. View the original statement that this is modeled on here.
   
• Visit ArtsU for webinars and resources to help you Advocate for the Arts and Arts Education
   
• Inform us of any specific actions impacting the arts in your community as a result of the President’s policies and executive orders.
   
• Tell your story about the power of the arts! The former president of South Africa, F.W. DeKlerk, once told the U.S. Secretary of State that it was his cultural diplomacy visit to the U.S. that changed his ideas about a multiracial democracy. He subsequently released Nelson Mandela from prison and they began the country’s transformation.